A valued friend of mine once said to me, "Noel, the reason that the 'Universe' can't give you what you want is because you don't know what it is!"

An interesting perspective and certainly food for thought.

Let's say you are considering or embarking on a home business venture. Do you have a clear idea as to what you want out of the business? Many people get started without having the answer to this fundamental question. It is not only necessary but vital to the success of your venture. I call this approach "Starting with the end in mind".

So let's take some time to consider the big picture. The big picture will be your driving force. It will come from the inside. This is much more than establishing a goal. It's about discovering your dream or your vision.

All successful people have done this. Now before we go any further, you can simply read this and then file it away or here is an invitation. Determine now to complete this task and get a pen and paper now (or your favorite text editor). Schedule in your diary to complete the exercise. Why? This is the single most important exercise you can do in creating success.

So let's have some fun.

First let's start with the big picture. Consider this, you have the ability to think and that is a gift to you. Your gift to you is what you think about. Now you can think small or you can think big. And if you are going to think big then why not think very big.

Step One

There are a few guiding questions to consider when thinking about what you want.

1. If it could be any way at all, how would you want your life to be?

No limitations. Not based on what seems possible. Imagine you had all the resources you could ever want. How would you want your life to be? It's about being in touch with what you really want, whether or not it seems possible.

2. If I could have it would I take it?

This is a test question. When we really think about actually having something we may find out that we don't really want it after all. So as you think of each thing you want (or after you have created the big picture) ask this test question.

If the answer is "Yes" then it is something that you truly want.

3. It will be helpful to consider a few different areas of your life and four key questions in each area.

Key questions:

(a) What do I want to have?
(b) What do I want to do?
(c) What do I want to be?
(d) Who do I want to help?

Ask, "What do I want in these areas..."

(i) Spiritually

The word "spiritual" means different things to different people. The interpretation is entirely up to you according to what you believe.

(ii) Family

This can have a broad meaning. It may mean your immediate family if you are living in a family situation; it may mean your relationship with your closest friend; it may mean your friendships in general. Overall it can mean the sum of all your relationships that have significant value for you.

This can include what you want for the people that are important to you including your children, if you have any (or would like to have some).

(iii) Your Financial or Business Life

How many clients or customers? Cash flow? Budgeting? Compliance with regulations.

(iv) Professionally

(v) Phsyically (Health)

(vi) Personally

Here are a few other areas in which people make choices and create results.

On the material level many people give some thought to:
Car, home / accommodation, holidays, travel, computing equipment and so on.

(vii) Socially

Tip: In all of these areas, consider the positive qualities you want to experience. How you will feel when you have these things.

Step Two

After you have given some serious, but fun, thought to Step One and put your ideas on paper, imagine you actually have those things.

Imagine you have your dream home, your dream car, your dream income etc.

Now ask yourself "How do I want to live?" This will give you a focus on your life-style rather than simply on the possessions in your life.

See if you can identify one thing that has more importance to you than anything else.

Now when you have developed your "big picture" or what could be called your "Why", you will know where you are heading and why you are doing it all. You will have a reason to keep taking action on those days when maybe things aren't going so well. And on the days when things are going well it will add enthusiasm, drive and a vital spark to how you go about your day.

Having the big picture clear in your own mind will also help bring perspective to the lesser tasks you need to do since you will be clear about where you are heading.

Here are three additional tips:

1. Don't ever sacrifice your values and priorities in order to reach your goals.

2. Don't reach the pinnacle of success and miss the objective. Make sure that when you reach the top of your ladder it is leaning up against the right wall.

3. Have fun

So, how long do you think it will take to complete the above task? When will you do it? Put it in your diary and make it your business to complete it because it is your business.

In the words of Jim Rohn, "It is easy to do and it is easy not to do."

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Copyright © 2003 Noel G. Springer

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